Nervous About Swallowing

"I’m thinking of swallowing the cum of my male lover when I give him oral sex. Am I at risk in any way?  I am a male.  If we both had a check for STDs beforehand and came out all clear would this help?

Yes. Getting tested for both HIV and other STDs beforehand would be extremely helpful—if mutually monogamous (neither partner has other partners) partners test negative for syphilis, HIV, herpes, chlamydia and gonorrhea, there is no risk of spreading those infections. Some infections are spread through the ejaculate (HIV and hepatitis B) but in others, swallowing or not does not matter (gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis and herpes) because the germs are on the skin of the penis or inside the urethra (opening of the penis) and can spread during oral sex.

We found that some men who give oral-penile sex to other men, do have throat infections and do not know it.  Regular screening of the throat for gonorrhea and chlamydia is recommended for men who perform oral sex with more than one partner.

In general, the risks from oral sex are much lower than anal sex but can include herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis.

To your health,
Dr. K

(Photo: Getty Images)

---

Dr. K is Jeffrey D. Klausner, MD, MPH, a board-certified internist and infectious disease specialist. Currently, he is a deputy health officer and director of the STD Prevention and Control Services Section at the San Francisco Department of Public Health.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to serve as medical advice. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, you should consult your health care provider.

Comments

[Exoteric]

I wonder how the risks of oral sex and "swallowing" compare to the risks of anal sex with a condom.

[Joe]

Thank you for this article.
I felt relieved in my belief that I should not swallow unless it is from my monogamous partner. Unlike someone i dated for almost 2 years, who in one of his profiles opens himself up for many diseases and luvs_2_suku and swallow no matter who it is !!! Yuk !!!
And he had the audacity to call me a freak?!?!?!? I will continue to be firm in my belief and only suck and swallow the man i believe to be monogamous and safe.
Thank you again, because too many men just don't care.
joe

[callman]

Nice that you posted his screenname (not). How rude can you be, calling someone out like that. I dont like to swallow, or even have cum in my mouth, but just because people disagree doesn't make them a freak.
So I didn't get a clear answer from the article. Can you catch HIV from swallowing?

[TK96]

Swallowing? WTF? Idiots want to do this all the time with me. I figure if they do it with me they do it with everyone. Instant turn off.

Guys who easily swallow are disease magnets.

[Aquidneck]

callman: If your mouth is clean and you have no cuts / wounds / sores / lose or bleeding teeth inside, then No. The HIV virus cannot live thru the stomach acids.

[Aquidneck]

Additional comment: Also I would not swallow if my partner is not monogamous. He would have to be monogamous and then only if we're both check out for all STD's and HIV.

[Jack]

Why do people keep asking if they can contract HIV from oral sex and/or swallowing? THE ANSWER IS YES. It will always be YES if you have direct contact with body fluids (blood, semen, etc.) when you have cuts/openings (ie sores, the eye, cut on the hand, tears).
I'm just wonder if people are just finding excuses to have unsafe sex, and that it's ok and that it's all just people overreacting.
The chance is small if you want to swollow. But if you want to put yourself in that type of risk, go right ahead. Get yourself checked out before you start convincing whoever you're doing it with that it'll be fun. You can have HIV, amongst other diseases/infections without even feeling it.

[To Exoteric]

... Really? *facepalm* Shut up... Just... Just stop. Please. My head hurts.

[WUSA]

You know, I'm very glad that this information is finally being made available here since gay.com is a glorified internet bathhouse. I mean, its the least they could do, right? Although, it could have been fleshed out a little more. I would however, like to point out that since there is almost no such thing as "mutually monogamous" in a gay relationship, everyone should start giving fellatio with condoms. Period.

[Marc]

This is just totally gross.

[trio3695]

why do you think they have Flav. condoms ?

[dw]

Thanks Dr. Klausner for this article and informative participants for followup remarks. We were discussing this very subject in one of the chatrooms on gay.com the other day. And may I add, with varying opinions. It's great to see open discussions of this nature, as even government officials have differing educated opinions if oral sex is safe and to what degree. Would like to see even more of these type of articles concerning health topics in general for GLBTI members.

[MarioNYC]

I love to swallow a wad of cum. It's 99% safe and very hot to finish a guy off

[Gary]

Aquid and jack are both right, you can get it if you have cuts or wounds...sex isnt safe no matter how you slice it, its the dirtiest thing two humans can do together.

[Tyler (doglech69)]

Excuse you TK96... You have no right to say that guys who swallow are disease magnets... I love to swallow. But i don't swallow EVER guy i meet. Ive been in a relationship for 5 years and we swallow! We also bring in someone on occasion. We are still D/D Free...

I agree with MarioNYC! Finishing off a guy, is HOT... IF you know what you and/or they know what they are doing.

[David]

Okay, although I doubt people are going to go to the trouble of reading this, why not. Regarding HIV, there is not a SINGLE confirmed case of HIV being transmitted via oral sex. If anyone begs to differ, please do list your exact sources, because this is a popular fantasy. Still, there is a theoretical risk somewhat similar to the theoretical risk of taking a bath or swimming in the same pool as someone else who is HIV+ and you both have open wounds etc . . .

The other illnesses are transmitted very easily through oral sex, whether or not you swallow; this last part is just anecdotal, but it seems that syphilis in particular is very easily transmitted through oral sex.

The curious thing here is that there is talk here of MONOGAMY. If you REALLY were in a monogamous relationship, you would be tested for all of these illnesses, get the ones cured which can be cured, and finally would then decide what are the risks you are both willing to take.

I myself am HIV+ and got that way through frequent, repeated, unprotected sex with my first partner who was unknowingly HIV infected. YES, I was fully aware of the risks and decided to take them. The two long term relationships (four and two years) I have had since then were with HIV- guys who are still negative. If there is anyone in a similar situation looking for guidance, would be happy to help as I have a bit of experience with this type of situation.

At the end of the day, if you want to swallow your MONOGAMOUS partner´s cum or want him to swallow yours, why not talk about it? Any other situation aside from being with a monogamous partner, do you honestly think he even knows or cares to tell you . . . ?

[Adam Elg]

Not a very helpful article.

[Jonathan]

This article is irresponsible, lacking in clarity, doesn't address the question at hand, and generally makes the reader more confused than prior to reading. And it's particularly disheartening because Dr. K typically does a decent job at this advice thing; here he's just lazy, as if he's answered this and other sexual health questions a few too many times -- or did this a little too late at night.

The question being asked -- though it's not often phrased this way or explicitly worded like this -- is almost always, "Can I contract HIV from oral sex and does it matter if I spit vs. swallow?" Are folks concerned about syphilis, herpes, chlamydia, and gonorrhea when they give a blow job? A little bit, but not that much. Because syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea can be cured -- if they're discovered, of course -- and herpes is no fun, but it's rather common, and it's skin-to-skin based anyway, so the fluids don't matter. And while Dr. K talks about getting tested for herpes, I've never heard of anyone who will test for it without symptoms/sores. Guys should know this, so they don't get upset when a doctor won't test them. So yes, get tested, and being mutually monogamous reduces your risk. But let's get to the real question, which Dr. K fails to address -- although he does seem to imply that swallowing is more risky when it comes to HIV, though strangely doesn't articulate why.

First off, a responsible answer would at least mention the window period for HIV, especially in the wake of the HIV saga in the porn world a few weeks back. Simply testing negative is no 100% sure way to know you're negative, which is why when I test people, I make very clear that the result is non-reactive, but that it's possible someone got tested too soon. I say this not to strike fear, but because more and more information is coming out that transmission is most likely during acute infection, or right after contracting HIV, which is often when one might still be in the window period.

But as for swallowing (vs. spitting -- which I mention again but that's really what the questioner wants to know, regarding HIV), a truthful answer is that no one knows. Not Dr. K, not Dr. Strangelove, not Dr. Ruth, not Dan Savage, nobody. They don't know because no one even knows for sure that HIV can be transmitted through oral sex. (For a good discussion highlighting the conflicting opinions, read this -- though from 6 years ago, still fairly relevant -- http://hivinsite.ucsf.edu/InSite.jsp?page=pr-rr-05). Most folks will tell you it can be -- to cover their behinds -- but they have a mighty hard time documenting or proving it. The conflicting studies are all over the place, but even given that it's a (small) possibility, there's even less information about spitting vs. swallowing. The typical mantra talks about cuts and sores in the mouth and not brushing your teeth or flossing -- blah, blah, blah -- we've heard it all, and we'll hear it again. But one need only think quickly about how in the world we would test these theories, and it becomes clear that we don't have the answer. And people deserve to have that kind of information. The CDC will say oral transmission is possible, and so will internet advice column doctors -- again, to cover their behinds -- but none of them can say with any certainty whether swallowing really makes a difference.

It would be fair to say that if you never have semen in your mouth, it's reducing your risk, but once it's in there, to say we know the answer is bogus. Even the response above about chlamydia, syphilis and gonorrhea and herpes doesn't make any sense. Herpes and syphilis are different from chlamydia and gonorrhea in how they're transmitted, and that should be made clear, which it's not. Is anyone rereading these answers for clarity (nevermind accuracy)? If someone disagrees with me, please respond, because I'd be happy to have a clarification. Until then, the readers of gay.com deserve better.

[NiceGuy]

This article does not really answer the question that is being asked. Therefore it is not very helpful.

[Darryl Jansen ltr_search]

Both you and I (are) at risk of many std's by sucking as stated. If your not "1 on 1" lovers from the start? Then how do you know were your mate has been (or) how many before you? And who is to say who has what till you have it. If you love each other? get tested FIRST and stay together!!
Being a "Player" is BAD NEWS! It is your LIFE..RESPECT IT!

[Marx]

I'm sorry but some of you people are kind of silly with the whole "omg swallowing is so risky" stuff. The fact is, once you put that dick in your mouth you are taking a risk, admittedly much lower than anal sex where HIV is concerned. And spitting vs swallowing doesn't matter. Once it's in your mouth you have for the most part the exact same risk whether you spit or swallow. Not only that, they don't have to cum in your mouth to put you at risk as you will still be swallowing fluids from their penis which can contain diseases as well as them living on the skin and urethra. So the real choice isn't swallow or not, it's suck on a condom or not. And I think the great majority have chosen not to (as it's just not fun sucking latex)...but don't for a second think because you choose not to swallow you have no risk.

[natural reaction]

I am HIV+ and my boyfriend is HIV-. I am the one always giving him blow jobs, which i do enjoy it but you know sometimes i get tired of the one that is always pleasing him. I am on medication and I have undetectable levels. I have searced online and read more articles than I care to remember regarding oral sex and HIV transmission. Even my HIV specialist has told me that once you have undectable levels that you can not pass the virus, or that the risk is very low. Sometimes even all the research and studies you read so you can ease your mind about not passing the virus to your partner doesn't really make me feel 100% sure that i still could give my partner HIV if we were to do something which has a low risk of transmission.Because people that are hiv negative really do not pose a high risk in getting HIV if they are receiving a blow job or if they are a top. The truth of the matter is that if the situation were reversed, I probably would feel a little hesistant to want to perform oral sex knowing the mybf has HIV. But i would at least try to please him and try it with condoms. It also comes down to monogamy and how much you really love someone as well. If you truly are in love with one person, you would be willing to do anything to make that person happy whether it be in the bedroom or out.

[tj]

thank you for sharing this information, a lot of younger people don't have the experience / information that some guys who have been around the scene for a while have; and there is a lot of conflicting information. It's not always easy to go to a doctor and ask 'if I suck cock, can I get aids?'

[Joey]

David!! Are you kidding me!?! That type of attitude is a big part of the problem with this epidemic called HIV! Just because there are no actual confirmed cases of HIV caused by oral sex doesnt prove anything!!!!!!! THINK!!! Be Practible!! The ONLY way to test this theory is to suck and swallow(a reasonable # of times) a guy that is HIV+, then wait out the window period and get tested. Do you see where im coming from yet? Exactly! Dont bank on confirmed or non-confirmed cases of HIV+ transmission through oral sex!!! If you are then you are putting yourself at risk...the one and simple fact that HIV is transmitted through an open wound(in your mouth or in your ass...actually anywhere on or in your body) is all we truly know! So my question to anyone is...Is 10 to 15 seconds of pleasure worth risking your life? If your answer is yes then you are very irresponible and you should be castrated to prevent further spread of this deadly virus!!I honestly believe that anyone that knowingly infects(w/HIV) another person should be charged and convicted of first degree atempted murder!!! And anyone who practices risky behavior should be charged with reckless endangerment! Some people need to wake up and smell the coffee and stop being so incredibly selfish!!!!!!!

[kl]

what if you had a scratchy or a sore throat and did oral. could you get HIV if the pre cum was swallowed?

[caramelopelon]

It is theoretically possible to get hiv through oral sex whether you swallow or not. Remember precum is many times loaded with virus. You do not have to have obvious cuts or scratches in your mouth to be a portal of entry of the virus. Many gay men and just people in general have gingivitis which causes inflammation and disintegrity of the gum tissue. VERY EASY ENTRY for the virus. Just because your tests are negative does not mean you do not have an infection. People who have recently been infected with HIV most always have a NEGative test, but infact have LOADS of virus in their fluids and tissues and will very readily infect another person. The answer is to be patient, find the ONE person who will be mutually manogamous with you and go for serial testing over a period of 6 months. If tests are still negative and neither of you has been with anyone else or had any other exposure, then you're much much safer and can relax. A big problem with the gay community is promiscuity - hey, lets put it out there cause its the damn truth! We choose our infections. If you don't want one, FUK, Don't get one!!!!! Luv you guys!

[Porn Doctor]

If you want to be 100% safe, don't have sex period. Instead of cruising this site for sex, why not jack off with your favorite porn, and live out any fantasy you want?

Porn: it's cheaper then dating!

[rush]

This is all pretty rediculous actually...everyone has ther own oppinion of these matters.. while opinions can be shared the you feel about swallowing cum is up to you as long as you are honest with your partner... grow up and make your own choices just don't make choices you will regret or your partner will regret in the long term.. it's between you and your partner.

[Kerzon454]

I am a poz man, I have been underectable for over 10 years.
This boils down to a choice everyone has to make on their own. My negative partner, does not swallow, because he doesn't like it. I have another regular friend who is negative who has sucked me off for years, and he has never become positive.
The thing is that he chose to take that risk with me. As someone else was saying if u suck dick without a condom you are taking a risk.
My advise is do alot of reasearch, real research. Listening to a bunch of opinionated gay boys does not constitute sound facts. In the end you have to decide how much your opinions are derived from unfounded fear, and how much is from facts.

My personal opion is that as long as a person is underectable (which is the key thing here) there should me virtually mo risk. That does mean go suck off every man you meet. It means only do that with people you know well, who you know their viral load status.

[William]

I lived with a partner for nearly 15 years who died of AIDS in 1995. I loved oral sex and sucked and swallowed him regularly for years before we found out he was positive. When we did, I thought it must have been my fault because I loved to suck guys off, always had and still do and even though I was in a relationship, I had my indiscretions.

I never did like anal sex much, it seemed nasty to me but my partner liked it so when I did do it, I got the bright idea to use a condom long before AIDS was known and before it became widely recommended. It was not really determined how my partner contacted HIV but since he craved anal sex, he probably went and got it somewhere sometime and once was all it took.

Of course this is anecdotal but I sucked and swallowed a man for years who had HIV and died from AIDS 14 years ago yet every HIV test I ever had (twice a year since then) has been "completely unresponsive" (negative, not even a hint of it) according to the doctor.

Sure, there is a risk in everything but I think it is important for health care people to be honest about what the risk of oral vs. anal sex really is with regards to HIV infection. They always like to say it is still possible just like it is possible to get killed the next time you step out the door. Or maybe if you stay home, a plane will crash into your house. It happens, you know. So, let's get real about what the risks really are or aren't about oral sex an HIV transmission.

[Sieko]

This post is making me horny

[P of Q]

It's too good to swallow. I use it for face cream - regularly.

[NoHo]

I've been HIV+ and undetectable for 8 years now, in ltr and yes, i do occassionaly stray while at the gym/sauna. If a guy wants to swallow, i use the head on my shoulders and not on my dick, i pull out and say no, if he insists, then the load is all his and we're satisfied. I will swallow as well, and no, not yet, has my level gone up.

[LA]

Its amazing to me with all the information out there today, the risks so many will take around sexuality! Wow. I am flabbergasted. Perhaps its due to porn but the reality is there are many other pleasures in life that there isn't really a need to take so many risks around sex in order "to get off" in life. I know I didn't see that until I got away porn myself. And I suppose one could justify 'once is all it takes' so what does it matter how many partners or what I do...but my Lord!

In reading some of these posts, I feel like when you watch those horror movies and all around the person are the signs that the house they are about to enter holds a killer, but they go in anyways. But in this case, over and over and over for years simply because the killer hasn't yet caught them. And perhaps they can get out with just a missing leg. That's how some of this sounds LOL.

I know its a theory but consider this...don't you think that if nature has so many potential diseases around living out sexually risky behavior, that there is a reason those diseases may be there? For instance, if I don't take care of my car, certain warning lights start coming on. Those warning lights aren't something to be cured, taken away, ignored like speed bump in the road. They are there to tell me I'm doing something I shouldn't be doing--that I need to take care of my vehicle. Some of you sound like you want to go full throddle despite the warning signs that you would better serve yourself by taking care of your vehicle.

What a number of people are doing is even trying to minimize these diseases as some type of hinderance. But perhaps nature itself, is propelling all of us toward relationships with ourselves and others in a healthy way.

I'm not sure that there is data to prove this but a lot of comments throughout this site seem to point to the reality that monogomy is the healthiest way--not only relationally, but sexually.

The reality is men left their own devices will often want it all and be willing to take inherent risks to get it. Its a bit of self centeredness in a self destructive form because as soon as either partner is willing to risks another's health to "get off", the relationship enters a usury stage. Not a union stage.

This is where we can all pay homage to the female of our species because I believe the female helps tame the male and brings him out of self centeredness better than man-to-man who are like meets like. Not that it can't be done, its just quite a bit harder. And this adds to an already complicated sceanrio.

The stress has got to be relationship and even gay.com would do well to get away from so much sex charged stuff and begin helping people do relationship. I find the comments here better then articles I read. So I thank you for your share. Even when I don't agree, there are good comments on here and everyone holds a piece wisdom that is uniquely their own.

[jogenova]

I am in my early 40s, I have only been with 5 guys my entire life. 2 of them were long term relationships (I'm talking both were over 4 years long, not 9 months) they were monogamous. The last guy I "thought" I was dating opened my eyes to what most men are about these days. I guess what I'm trying to ask here is 'are all gay guys fucking nuts, stupid, liars, and totally concentrated on their definition of being gay just about their attraction to the same sex organ??" It's really sad. I think my homosexuality makes me a beautiful individual. I never see anyone talking about how it effects their lives by opening their eyes and hearts, besides just opening their mouths and zippers. It's funny when we hear straight people say "you'd be amazed at how many men really are gay" and I come back at them with "you'd be amazed at how many gay men really ain't gay!" To those who understand that,,, are probably on the same page as me.

[Andy]

being only eighteen, I find this article somewhat helpful because it actually tries to get you to think at least before you go ahead and give head. Frankly I hadn't thought much about contracting an STD through oral sex but now I'm more aware of the risks at least

[Samir]

I love to swallow all the time but this article isn't clear ok whether I should be worried or not

[Stonewaller]

I participated in "3 Days of Rage"
following the Stonewall Rebellion.

From AIDS: all of my Gay friends
and classmates from primary, middle
and HS are dead; all but a few of
my Gay friends and classmates from
college and graduate school are dead.
Of my Gay colleagues who would now
be over 50 years of age, most are
dead. Given that my life has never
revolved around the Gay community,
by no means do I hold the record.

JOE/AQUIDNECK/DARRYLJENSEN
WUSA is correct; the problem is not
with being monogamous it is knowing
who is monogamous. Among Straight
married couples: 33% of the men
admit to being unfaithful; 25% of
the women admit to being unfaithful.

Given those are admissions, social
scientists know the actual levels
of infidelity are much higher. I
would double figures for lesbians &
triple them for Gay men. To put it
another way: 99% of Gay men may be
other than strictly monogamous --
even within longterm relationships.

AQUIDNECK
Caramelopeon is correct -- oneself
may not even about having gingivitis.

GARY
Given the propensity for human
beings -- Gay, Straight, male and
female -- to engage in sex and your
view that sex is dirty, what do you
propose as satisfying alternative?

DAVID
Thank you for accurate observation
that one may unknowingly infect
another during "window period."

JONATHAN/JOE
Thanks for your generally helpful
response. I am bipolar and have
undergone ECT "shock" therapy. Only
documented side effect is short term
memory loss. However, NIMH directors
concede there are many undocumented
side effects that may be documented
in the future. Thus, fact that oral
sex transmission of HIV undocumented
is only goes so far. Unlike Dr. K,
perhaps, you could clarify manner of
transmitting other sexual diseases.

NATURALREACTION
One may please a lover, but one can
not make another happy no matter how
much one may wish or try to do so.

NATURALREACTION/JONATHAN/KERIZON
Difficulty in determining behavior
based upon "undetectable" levels is
that levels are undetectable only
until they become "detectable" at
which point it may be too late to
accomplish the desired objective.

TS
If you feel discomfit in discussing
Gay issues with your doctor, you
need to find a new doctor.

JOEY
While I can appreciate your feelings,
first degree murder requires
premeditation & reckless endangerment
requires more than risky behavior.

PORNDOCTOR
Your reasoning is based upon a false
presumption -- there is expensive
porn and there are cheap dates!

RUSH
It is not just "between you and your
partner" when one or the other has
sex with another and consequently
may put everybody at risk.

WILLIAM
Your analysis fails to recognize that
some things in life are riskier than
others. The odds of contracting HIV
through unsafe sex are much higher
than one's getting hit by a car when
looking both ways upon crossing the
street or one's house getting hit by
a plane when one does not live on a
flight path. Thus, one may reduce
significantly one's risk from harms
by taking some simple precautions.

LA
You are correct in pointing out the
unfortunate fact that people tend to
be self-centered. As you suggest,
men to be more self-centered than
women and Gay men tend to be more
self-centered than Straight men.

JOGENOVA
All one has to do is read "Boys in
the Band" to know the truth of what
you say about many -- if not most --
Gay men not really being so gay.

Posted by: Stonewaller |

[tONY]

i LOVE TO SUCK MEN OFF; HOWEVER, I DO LIKE ANAL SEX AS WELL..... I GUESS I AM THE FREAKY TYPE AND I AM HIV- BECAUSE I ONLY DO ANAL SEX WHEN THEY ARE USING A CONDOM. YOU STILL FEEL THE FULL EFFECTS, ONLY THERE IS MUCH LESS TO CLEAN UP AFTERWARDS.

[malcontent]

Stomewaller, I applaude your remarks on this topic,with the years of insight on this issue,(and,others,obviously)you have clarified the information that the good doctor failed to. I am 48, and have lost friends to HIV, I dont know how,but,I'm still here.

[malcontent]

Sorry, STONEWALLER, no disrespect intended

[malcontent]

damn thing didnt post & now i look like a fool...

STONEWALLER, your obvious insight into this and other issues comes from experence,something that MANY others posting here do not have!
TEST,RETEST,AND TEST AGAIN,BE MONOGAMOUS,LOVE YOUR SELF AND YOUR PARTNER

[LA]

How come I don't seem to discover insightful, deep thinking men like yourselves. It is interesting to find a collection of gay men with their heads on straight (no pun intended). I wish we were all sitting in a room with each other face to face. You guys are not only smart but caring to share like this and I appreciate it.

[bcn08003]

I wonder why can't be proved that oral sex with swalling or not can be a way of contagious for HIV. There are so many man that always use a condom in anal sex and never use it in oral sex so if many of these came to be HIV positive we would have a positiva answer, if not we would have a negative answer. I do believe there may be a risk and prefer to avoid it, yet I also so see so many but so many unprotect sex when refering to oral sex and no person been contagious that I know that I have my doubts.

[jogenova]

Stonewaller, does this book you recommend, "boys in the band" cover the topic of being born gay, compared to those who think they are gay due to some devastating childhood incident that happened with father McCleary after Sunday school? I knew i was gay before i even knew what sex was. that was the point i was trying to make in the first post. Thank you for the response too :)

[Rick Lopez]

Nothing like an STD query to get the condom nazis out like springtime.

@David:((Okay, although I doubt people are going to go to the trouble of reading this, why not. Regarding HIV, there is not a SINGLE confirmed case of HIV being transmitted via oral sex. If anyone begs to differ, please do list your exact sources, because this is a popular fantasy. Still, there is a theoretical risk somewhat similar to the theoretical risk of taking a bath or swimming in the same pool as someone else who is HIV+ and you both have open wounds etc . . .))

Very True.. NOT A SINGLE CASE ON RECORD. They did this study with over 300 monogamous couples in Europe and two major American cities. One was poz, one was neg.. obviously those numbers show there is no possible way you can unless basically one partner is on his deathbed with AIDS and the other partner has just had his wisdom teeth removed (the wound has to be quite large enough to bleed heavily so as to dilute the saliva). Most people ALSO seem to forget SALIVA KILLS HIV, PERIOD. This is a medical FACT.